Craps Rules

Craps 'Craps' is a game that can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it as everything depends on the bets - type, amount, etc. - that you choose to place.

The source of so much noise and excitement and most brick and mortar casinos - many of you are probably familiar with the screaming and jumping that goes on around this table! - at its core, craps is a table game played by several players at once, with one of the players (the one who rolls the dice) called the "shooter." It involves the shooter rolling the dice, and all of the players betting on the numbers result. Players place bets, of course, before the shooter rolls the dice. It's one of those few games where everyone is usually cheering for the same thing!

The shooter's first roll of the dice is called the "come out roll." Before this, players place what are called "pass line bets." The outcome of these bets depends on what the come out roll will be. Pass line bets are immediate winners if the come out roll is 7 or 11, and they are immediate losers if the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. As for the remaining numbers "4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10", they become the "point" if they come up. If the shooter rolls the point, he or she must continue rolling the dice until either the number identified as the point OR a 7 comes up. If the point comes up before 7, all pass line bets win. If the opposite happens, all pass line bets lose. Either way, nothing will happen in a game of craps until one of these two numbers appears, so there's a theoretical chance that the game could continue all night. It adds to the fun!

Here are the most basic bets you can make in a game of craps, as well as their payoffs:

Pass Line - these bets win on a come out roll of 7 or 11 and lose on a come out roll of 2, 3, or 12. If a number other than these appears, it becomes the point. Pass Line bets win if the shooter's next roll produces the point before 7, and lose if a 7 comes up before the point. Payoff is 1 to 1.

Don't Pass Line - the opposite of a Pass Line bet. Don't Pass Line bets win if the come out roll is 2 or 3, and lose if the come out roll is 7 or 11. If the come out roll is 12, the bet becomes a "push" and the player gets his money back. If a number other than 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 appears, it becomes the point. Don't Pass Line bets win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point, and lose if the opposite happens. It is important to know that Don't Pass Line bets can be removed or reduced while the shooter is rolling for the second time. Payoff is 1 to 1.

Come Bets - Come bets are almost the same as Pass Line bets. Think of them as Pass Line bets happening once again in the same round of craps. Players place Come Bets after the point has been established by a come out roll. As with Pass Line bets, Come Bets win if the shooter's next roll is 7 or 11, and they lose if the shooter's next roll is 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter's roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the "come point." Come Bets win if the shooter rolls the come point before a 7, and lose if the opposite occurs. Come Bets cannot be changed or removed. Payoff is 1 to 1.

Don't Come Bets - As you might imagine, Don't Come Bets are almost the same as Don't Pass Line bets. Again, players place these bets after the initial come out roll. Once the point has been established, Don't Come Bets win if the shooter's next roll is 2 or 3, lose if the roll is 7 or 11, and push if the roll produces 12. If the roll produces 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the come point. Don't Come Bets win if the shooter's next roll produces a 7 before the come point, and lose if the opposite happens. Don't Come Bets, like Don't Pass Line bets, can be changed or removed after being placed. Payoff is 1 to 1.

Quick Craps tips

Here are some quick craps tips which should help beginners establish a bit more confidence heading into their initial experiences and provide a refresher of sorts for more experienced craps fans:

Make bets or establish a pattern of play that you like and stick to it!
If you wish to play and enjoy the game for a longer period of time, stick to the 'pass/don't pass' and 'come/don't come' bets.
If you're looking to 'hit and run' and winning is a priority, opt for high-odds bets.
Don't expect to win every roll of the dice.
Raise as you win, lower bets as you lose.
Ethics at the table are important. Respect all players and pay attention to their shooting style. If they have controlled dice movement, bet along with them. If they just pick up and toss, then use the don't pass option.
If the table is choppy a good way to hedge your bet is to establish a dont pass bet then place bet the 6 & 8.
On the come out roll, place a pass bet and an equivalent field bet, that way if the shooter craps out, you still win in the field, if the shooter wins with 7 or 11 you still break even.
Try to mimick the player with the most chips. If he's a high roller, use a smaller amount for yourself.
Never walk up to a table and throw your money in. Instead, take a moment to review the action, people and the game in progress.